1. Evolution of Temple Architecture in Tamil Nadu 2. Major Styles of Temple Architecture in Tamil Nadu 3. Three Traditions of Temple Architecture in Tamil Nadu 4. Pallava Rock - cut Temples 5. Pandya Rock - cut Temples

1. Rock – cut Temples of the Pallavas and Pandyas
By
S. Kannan, Asst. Professor, Dept of History, Annamalai University,
Deputed to Raja Doraisingam Govt. Arts College, Sivagangai

2. Phases of Evolution of Architecture in Tamil Nadu
1. Sangam Age (c.300 B.C to 300 A.D) – period of origin
2. Pallava and Early Pandya period (6th to 9th century A.D) – period of
emergence
3. Chola and Later Pandya period (9th to 13th century A.D) – period of
development
4. Vijayanagar – Nayak period (14th to 18th century A.D) – period of
expansion

3. Major Styles of Temple Architecture in Tamil Nadu
1. Pallava : 6th century CE – 9th century CE
2. Early Pandya : 7th century CE – 10th century CE
3. Chola : 9th century CE – 13th century CE
4. Medieval and Later Pandya : 11th century CE – 15th century CE
5. Vijayanagar and Nayak : 15th century CE – 18th century CE

4. Sub – styles of Temple Architecture in Tamil Nadu
1. Athiyamans of Tagadur : 800 CE – 1000 CE
2.Muttaraiyars of Nemam and Sendalai : 800 CE – 1000 CE
3. Irrukuvels of Kodumbalur : 800 CE – 1000 CE
4. Paluvettaraiyars of Paluvur : 800 CE – 1000 CE

5. Three Traditions of Temple Architecture in Tamil Nadu
1. Rock – cut tradition – cut in (cave architecture)
2. Monolithic rock – cut tradition – cut out (ratha
architecture)
3. Structural tradition (structural architecture)

6. Mandagapattu Rock-cut Temple, Pallava, 6th c.A.D
Rock-cut Temple Architecture
Pallava

7. Varaha Rock-cut Temple, Mahabalipuram,
Pallava, 7th c.A.D

8. Inner View of
Mahisasuramardhini
Rock-cut Temple,
Mahabalipuram,
Pallava, 7th c.A.D
Outer View of
Mahisasuramardhini
Rock-cut Temple,
Mahabalipuram,
Pallava, 7th c.A.D

9. Trimurti Rock-cut Temple, Mahabalipuram, Pallava, 7th c. A.D

10. Tiger Cave, Saluvan Kuppam, Mahabalipuram,
Pallava, 8th c. A.D

11. Rock-cut Temple, Malaiyadikuruchi, Early Pandya, 7th CE
Rock-cut Temple Architecture
Early Pandya

12. Malaiyadikkuruchchi Pandya Inscription of Maran Centan, 7th century CE
Three line inscription belongs to the period of Pandya king Maran Centan (early 7th
century CE) records that this auspicious temple was excavated in stone (kar-rirukkoyil) by
Sattan Eran of Cevur under the orders of king Maran Centan.

13. Pillayarpatti Rock-cut Temple, Early Pandya, 7th century CE

14. Pillayarpatti Pandya Vatteluttu Inscription, 7th century CE
Two line inscription in archaic Vatteluttu characters reads ekkatturuk kon peruntaccan
(chieftain of Ekkatturu, the master mason)

15. Yoga Narasimha Rock-cut Temple, Early Pandya, Parantaka Nedunjadaiyan, 770 CE
Vatteluttu and Grantha inscriptions of Parantaka Nedunjadaiyan record that the
construction of this stone temple was commenced by Maran Kaari of Kalakudi and he
passed away during the construction and after his death it was completed by his younger
brother Maran Eyinan who built the mukhamandapa and got the shrine consecrated.

16. Tiruparankundram Rock-cut Temple, Early Pandya, Parantaka Nedunjadaiyan, 773 CE
Vatteluttu and Grantha inscriptions in the rock-cut temple datable to 773 CE record that
Sattan Ganapathi, an official of Parantaka Nedunjadaiyan, excavated this auspicious temple
and srithatakam (auspicious tank).

17. Nakkan-Korri, the wife of Sattan Ganapathi excavated the shrines of Durga devi and Jyestha devi
Tiruparankundram Rock-cut Temple, Early Pandya, Parantaka Nedunjadaiyan, 773 CE

18. Subramanya Rock-cut Temple at Yanaimalai (Ladan Koyil), Early Pandya, 8th - 9th century CE
A Vatteluttu inscription in the rock-cut temple datable to 9th century CE states that Nambiran
Bhattasomasi Parivirajakar (wandering Saiva sage) of Pullari Vattakkuruchi renovated
(putukku) this temple.

19. Rock-cut Temple, Arittapatti, 8th CE

20. Rock-cut Temple, Kunnathur, 8th CE

21. “Men may come and men may go; but I go on for ever”
– A.L.Tennyson
Thank You